Va. lawmakers block abortion ultrasound repeal; Other state abortion news

Lawmakers in Virginia blocked a repeal of a state law that requires women to have an ultrasound before an abortion as well as a law that requires stricter regulation of abortion clinics. In the meantime, however, a state Senate committee there killed a proposal that would have forbidden public money from being used for abortions where the fetus is likely to be deformed and unlikely to survive.

The Washington Post: Va. Republicans Block Ultrasound Repeal
Senate Republicans on Thursday thwarted an effort by Democrats to repeal a law to require women to undergo an ultrasound before getting an abortion. Republicans also rejected legislation that would have rolled back new regulations requiring abortion clinics to meet hospital-style building standards (Vozzella, 1/17).

The Associated Press/Washington Post: Panel Thwarts Bid To Prevent State-Funded Abortions Of Doomed Fetuses, Keeps Ultrasound Law
A Virginia Senate Committee killed a bid to prevent Medicaid patients from having abortions when doctors determine the fetus has profound deformities that make survival unlikely. The Republican-run Education and Health Committee voted 8-7 against banning state-funded abortions for women with fatally flawed fetuses. Virginia Beach Republican Sen. Harry Blevins joined the panel's seven Democrats (1/17).

In Nebraska, a bill would require abortion clinics post ultrasound images --

The Associated Press: Abortion Bill Would Require Link To Ultrasounds
Abortion clinics would be required to post ultrasound images of fetuses to a state website under a bill that a Nebraska senator introduced Thursday. Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha said he introduced the measure because he wants women to have access to non-judgmental, scientific information when deciding whether to have an abortion (Skelton, 1/17).